New York state briefs

Wednesday

Sep 24, 2008 at 12:01 AM

Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2008

Staff reports

Online flu shot locator available for state residents

NEW YORK — The American Lung Association of New York today unveiled a searchable, online resource for finding flu clinics across New York state. The online directory of public influenza vaccination clinics, available at www.flucliniclocator.org, makes finding a flu clinic easy and convenient.

"Whether to get a flu shot is not a decision to sneeze at," said Louise Vetter, Chief Executive Officer of the American Lung Association of New York. "Vaccination is a safe, effective way to prevent influenza and its complications, and the flu shot locator is a useful resource to find a flu shot near you."

The American Lung Association's Flu Clinic Locator enables individuals to find the most convenient place to get their flu shot. The locator includes more than 40,000 clinic locations in New York state, searchable by ZIP code. It also provides the option to set up an appointment e-mail reminder, along with the opportunity to sign up for influenza-specific updates throughout the season.

Adults and children with chronic medical conditions, such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), heart disease, weakened immune systems and diabetes, are at increased risk for complications from influenza and should be immunized every year. Further, all school age children -- five through 18 years of age - should be vaccinated, as this segment of the population is among the main transmitters of the flu virus. Studies have shown that vaccinating school age children is likely to be effective in preventing influenza in populations at high risk for complications associated with the flu, especially older people.

For more information on the flu, and to use the flu shot locator visit www.alany.org.

Teens arrested after viral video is posted on YouTube

LITTLE FALLS — Two 16-year-old males have been charged for their involvement in a Sept. 11 incident that was posted on the popular Internet site YouTube.

The incident, captured on the cell phone of a 15-year-old boy, occurred in Eastern Park and included a fight between two girls, ages 12 and 17.

Little Falls Chief of Police Michael Masi said a concerned parent brought the three-minute viral video to the attention of police.

The video, according to Masi, depicts a fight between two girls surrounded by a group of teens shouting obscenities.

Arrested were Ricki Earl Clemons Jr., 16, who was charged with disorderly conduct, and another 16-year-old boy, who was charged with public lewdness for exposing himself. Clemons and the other 16-year-old were issued appearance tickets returnable in Little Falls City Court on Sept. 30.

The girls, according to Masi, could also face charges for their involvement in the incident. In addition, Masi said that the teens who were identified in the video have been interviewed by police and will not be allowed in the park for an undisclosed amount of time.

Biting bees blamed for Farmington blaze

FARMINGTON — Who knew that bees could be such firebugs?

Farmington firefighters are blaming a gang of apian arsonists in connection with a minor electrical fire Tuesday afternoon at 6189 Doe Haven Drive.

First Assistant Chief Phil Robinson said the blaze most likely started when an exterminator sprayed insecticide on an exposed electrical cable whose insulation had been chewed away by bees that lived in the walls.

“This was just a small electrical fire, but the bees added flavor to the problem,” Robinson said.

The interior of the home sustained minor structural damage but no one was hurt, except for a few bee stings sustained by firefighters and homeowner Samantha Tolbert.

According to the Ontario County Office of Emergency Management, firefighters responded to the home around 10:30 p.m., when Tolbert reported smelling burning wood or electrical equipment. Crews checked the home and left when they did not detect any sign of smoke or fire.

They did, however, find a steady stream of bees coming out of a second-story bedroom floor. The firefighters recommended Tolbert call an exterminator. She did and when he sprayed some insecticide into the floor, it made contact with the exposed wire and caused a small explosion.

Farmington firefighters returned to the home to find the small fire already extinguished. While searching for more fire within the walls, firefighters found three large beehives nestled under the second story floor.

Ontario County Emergency Management Director Jeff Harloff said, “this kind of incident is an unusual occurrence,” but not unheard of.

Arson charges are unlikely to be brought against the bees, Harloff said, his tongue firmly planted in his cheek.

“Our office does not have the power to arrest anyone, humans or bees,” he said, adding that “this appears to be an accidental fire.”